I was shocked to wake up this morning and hear about the attacks in Lahore in Pakistan and the fact that the Sri Lankan cricket team seemed to be the target of the attack. Tragically, 8 or so police officers and other civilians lost their lives – and according to Kumar Sangakarra the only thing that help the Sri Lankan team was the fact that their coach driver continued to drive through the attack to the ground, an act that probably saved the lives of many more.

I hate the fact that sportsmen are on the end of this attack – they have nothing to do with the politics behind whoever caused this, and are probably just chosen to help them get the biggest world exposure for what they do. No innocent person deserves to be caught up in an attack anyway, and sportmen and women shouldn’t have to worry about being “used” for the exposure they give the attacks.

This all has a big effect on Pakistani cricket going forward as well. The Champions Trophy there was already called off this year, and India, New Zealand and Australia have all refused to tour there for one reason or another, but today’s events will mean a stop on anyone turning up there for a game for a long long time. No-one is going to turn up with the potential for their sportsmen to be the centre of an attack, even if the ICC would let them play. England returned to India after the Mumbai attacks to show that terrorism couldn’t stop sport when it wasn’t the players who were the main focus, but today’s situation is very different.

Pakistan will potentially have little or no home games left, and have to start looking at using neutral venues places such as Dubai and Abu Dahbi as they have done previously which although not ideal is a way to help keep them going. It isn’t the players fault, but they will certainly see their lives affected, but right now they should just be thankful that they are alive. As it was, the game was looking quite a good one, some big runs scored by a good Sri Lankan side that continue to be more of a force in cricket than we are currently!

Going briefly back to England cricket – a dull road served up a dull fourth test, so we turn up for the final test having to get a win out of the game – it will be interesting to see the mentality and team selection knowing that significance!